Stop using app icons for political activism • Hacker News Board

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#11

Post by imwillofficial » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:27 PM UTC

hourago wrote: post #10

> As part of that bargain, you have to identify your app visually so I can find it. If the problem is that apps change logos then that should be criticized, not activism. If the problem is with political causes that should be the focus, not interface. To mix both seems an excuse to legitimate one criticism using the other.

It’s a bit of both.

Also critiquing activism is completely valid.

Passionately held belief is not somehow above reproach at all times

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#12

Post by thereddaikon » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:27 PM UTC

marcodiego wrote: post #6

In a certain way, Free Software is political activism. Disagree with something? Fork it. Not using FLOSS? Contribute to one by using, coding, donating money or trying to make it more popular. Can't or don't want to do that? How about stop complaining?

That's not viable when Apple prevents you from installing arbitrary software on their devices. You can just say use Android but that is also fraught with compromises as well.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#13

Post by jp57 » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:27 PM UTC

Anyone got examples? What are we talking about here? Rainbow flags? Ukrainian flags? BLM colors? The GNU logo?

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#14

Post by Etheryte » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:28 PM UTC

I'm always confused by statements like these. You can see similar dynamics playing out on artists' social media feeds for example, where people are upset when the artist talks about politics instead of their craft. Artists, developers, and everyone else is at the end of the day still a human being, not a machine that's there only to produce the content you want to consume. Getting a useful app for free (!) and then getting upset over what color its icon is or whatnot seems absurdly entitled.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#15

Post by rhn_mk1 » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:28 PM UTC

Just another symptom of the users not truly having control over "their" devices.

If you don't like the logo, swap it the application files. Oh wait, sources are unavailable? If you want your phone to serve you, guess you better jump on the FLOSS bandwagon.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#16

Post by imwillofficial » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:29 PM UTC

RC_ITR wrote: post #4

Pretty funny that this is getting so much traction on the (recognized) Juneteenth holiday during Pride month. Tell us how you really feel…

So people should hold back their opinions during specific celebrations or they are homophonic?

That is… an insane stretch to say the least.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#17

Post by thereddaikon » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:29 PM UTC

I hate it when apps change long used icons for any reason. Make its hard to find the app. I'm still annoyed about Google changing the icons for all of their android suite a few revisions ago.

If you have to virtue signal, there are better ways to do it than changing the icon.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#18

Post by marcodiego » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:29 PM UTC

thereddaikon wrote: post #12

marcodiego wrote: post #6

In a certain way, Free Software is political activism. Disagree with something? Fork it. Not using FLOSS? Contribute to one by using, coding, donating money or trying to make it more popular. Can't or don't want to do that? How about stop complaining?

That's not viable when Apple prevents you from installing arbitrary software on their devices. You can just say use Android but that is also fraught with compromises as well.

One more reason to support linux phones. And yes, I know how inconvenient they can be compared to other models, but people should make the effort or else we will always live with these kinds of problems.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#19

Post by jansan » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:29 PM UTC

rbanffy wrote: post #2

How about no? If it's my app, I'll use my logo. I consider the logo an integral part of the application's identity and I should control its identity. I promise I'll do my best to make it easily and readily recognizable, regardless of it using national colors, a rainbow or shades of white, pink and blue. If you don't like it, it's your problem, not mine.

> If you don't like it, it's your problem, not mine.

I may be old fashined, but I remember it being considered a problem for the seller if a potential customer does not like offered product.

Re: Stop using app icons for political activism

#20

Post by rhn_mk1 » Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:30 PM UTC

rbanffy wrote: post #2

How about no? If it's my app, I'll use my logo. I consider the logo an integral part of the application's identity and I should control its identity. I promise I'll do my best to make it easily and readily recognizable, regardless of it using national colors, a rainbow or shades of white, pink and blue. If you don't like it, it's your problem, not mine.

The app might be "yours", but once you gave it to another person to install it on their phone, you should not abuse their hospitality. You don't rerrange furniture in a home you're visiting if you have good manners.